Looking to find a buyer as fast as possible? Looking to find a buyer as fast as possible? Before your home hits the market, do these 5 things to make your home stand out. Don’t forget #5. These tips from Realtor.com can’t guarantee a speedy sale, but they definitely won’t hurt your chances of securing a buyer.
1. Tidy up to make your house stand out
Pristine houses are much more attractive to a buyer, so you’ll want to start cleaning before the listing photos are taken. That means getting rid of clutter both inside the house and in the yard and making everything look its best. Clean from top to bottom in every room of the house. Wipe down cabinets and drawers, remove any scuffs from the walls, give all kitchen appliances a once-over, clean air vents, shampoo your carpets, and then sweep, vacuum or mop every inch of the house. It will take you several days of work, but the payoff will be worth it.
2. Have your house staged
If you want to go the extra mile beyond cleaning, consider having your house staged to make it more attractive to buyers. Staging typically takes anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on the availability of rental furniture, movers and installers. If you’re facing a major time crunch, try focusing on staging the beds, sofas, tables, chairs, and art—items that make a house feel like a home where people can live and get comfortable.
3. Hire a professional photographer to take listing photos
It may feel like hiring a professional will be a waste of money; after all, your cellphone has a great camera, right? But that can be a sale killer. First impressions are everything and need to be done correctly. A professional photographer has all of the tools to capture the right lighting and to make everything look brighter and inviting. The pros also have wide-angle lenses to fit the entire room in a photo.
4. Make your home available for showings
Once everything is set up, prepare to spend a lot of time away from your home so buyers and real estate agents can view the property comfortably—without you or your pets wandering around the halls.
Remember: If you want to sell your home fast, you need to be flexible and open with your time and allow buyers to tour it as often as possible.
5. Decide on the right selling price
To sell fast, your house needs to be priced to compete with others currently on the market. Your real estate agent can help you decide on the right price for your home by looking at a variety of factors: your home’s age; any updates; square footage; and the school district. An agent also will pull up comparable homes that have sold in the area to evaluate the best price.